Musicians, fans honor Levert

November 18, 2006

Gerald Levert's send-off was tearful--and exuberant.

"When I came here, I expected to mourn," Usher told thousands of fans who filled most of Cleveland's Public Hall for Friday's three-hour memorial service for Levert, 40, who died Nov. 10. Instead, he said: "I actually cried tears of joy."

Stevie Wonder, Levert's father, Eddie, a member of the O'Jays, and Levert's music collaborator and brother, Sean, led the audience in a cheering, foot-stomping, hand-clapping combination of memories, music and religious fervor.

"You all really don't know how big his heart was," said Eddie Levert.

Levert died of heart disease at his suburban Cleveland home.

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The Personals page was compiled by Cristi Kempf from Tribune news services and staff reports.